x220/x230 FHD/ WQHD 2K mSATA/USB3.0

[boutch55555]

Wifi and HDD are still working, bluetooth doesn't show up, but that might be because I removed the integrated bluetooth adapter to use an Intel 7260.

[evening_hunger]

I didn't find alternative longer cables, but you could get a couple of those extensions, that's what I used with my W11 panel.

Hi Boutch, there is a problem. I bough extenders from them and got them, but they are not the edp->edp extenders visible in the bottom photo (which probably are compatible with Nitro's cable) but the edp->some_f...g_ribbon converters visible at the top of the photo. What have you gotten when you bought from them?
Do you have any spare extension (of those at the bottom) you'd like to seel or something?

In other words, thie auction photo not one cable visible on both sides (as I though) but two cables. Strange, there's no choice options on the auction, I should've gotten both of them... [censored].

I put my system together with Nitro's cable. My AUO screen has the connector on the wrong side, of course, so it was impossible to fly the cable through any hinges. I drilled holes in the bezel, keyboard support and part of the chassis and put the cable through there directly to Nitroboard. That works, but I suppose it will die, like, really fast, once I give this cable to many squezes. So, I either need this extender - but the correct one, or a longer cable - but you wrote it doesn't exist...

[boutch55555]

I'm pretty sure you just got it on the wrong side, pictures on the site are bottom and front view. It needs to be folded 2 times on one end to have the correct orientation, something like this. Same in the junction between the 2 ribbons, except with a single fold. Ain't pretty but works...

[evening_hunger]

Hmm no, I think they just sent me the wrong ribbons. I will take some photos once back home, and post them here. Also, I see what you mean, probably the auction photo indeed shows the same connector from both sides. It's just that they sent me something different. More on it later...

[evening_hunger]

The connector I got from Yoycart is visible here: https://imgur.com/a/V8uWhG8

[boutch55555]

Does it have a model number on the side ? Mines were HQ-LED30-156. Maybe they sent the wrong part... In which case I'd contact them.

[evening_hunger]

It's HQ-40-156FPC on mine. Yes, I contacted them, so far they're resisting to acknowledge their fault:) By the way I want to say this screen kicks maximum [censored], the colors are off-this-world, and available 'pixelspace' - stunning.

[apala4]

Patching is quite easy, worse part is creating an account on 51nb to download the files PM me if you want a google drive / dropbox link.

Whole process :
Update to 2.68 with official installer. Extract the bios, place it in the x230_bios_patch folder, name it x230.bin and run patch.bat. It should create x230.bin.patched. Flash that.

It also removes whitelist and adds advanced menu. You can choose to disable one of them by commenting it in patches.txt

hello,

1) could you please share the files needed for bios patching?

2) https://forum.51nb.com/forum.php?mod=vi ... light=LVDS this link shows:

1. Please refer to the method of whitelisting: https://forum.51nb.com/thread-1737551-1-1.html
(It is recommended to unplug the eighth pin, bios set the way to wake up the network to access the network cable, I myself Tryed to use the eighth pin did not succeed, for reference.)

is it really required to play with all that "wake up the network" things?

TIA.

[boutch55555]

Here are files for patching the bios. I used those instructions with the raspberry pi and flashrom to extract and flash the bios.

[votumcratum]

Here are files for patching the bios. I used those instructions with the raspberry pi and flashrom to extract and flash the bios.

Is this patcher compatible with the latest x230 BIOS version of 2.73 (26 Jun 2018)?

[boutch55555]

It was made for 2.67 or earlier, tested ok with 2.68 and 2.70, will probably work. I'll try to take the time to test it over the weekend.

[votumcratum]

What are the recommended 12.5" WQHD/"2k"/1440p screens for x230?
People usually mention "Sharp" without specifying the particular panel model.

[wojtekS]

LQ125T1JW02/A01

Sometimes it can be ordered with the metal mounting frame so it can be easily bolted to the existing mounts: https://www.ebay.com/itm/LQ125T1JW02-A0 ... 1995635762
Mine came without.

[votumcratum]

Thanks, wojtekS!
Is there any difference between /A01 and /A02 I should be worried about or they will both work with the #2 mod from before?

[wojtekS]

Maybe it's just the mounting frame difference. Try to check on panelook website. I have the #2 but with additional USB ports (it was available at the begining of 2018, now no more).

Mine is A01 and I am writing from my X230 with this screen.

Here is the same seller on aliexpress: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Sh ... 43401.html

Big difference in price.

[radostzohany]

how much a whole kit like this goes for? Im kind of unsure, on what does it needs, I know nitrocaster made some fhd boards, but he said they do not support fhd Im wondering what is needed for this taobao fhd or wqhd mod, I would appreciate your help

[skrble]

Here are files for patching the bios. I used those instructions with the raspberry pi and flashrom to extract and flash the bios.

Is this patcher compatible with the latest x230 BIOS version of 2.73 (26 Jun 2018)?

The keyboard itself works fine, but many Fn- shortcuts stopped working, at least on my unit, as well with the microphone mute button. The previous patched bios ran just fine (patched early beginning 2018, idk which version it actually was).

[boutch55555]

You might want to flash the EC again. Release notes say it's still 1.14, should be fine.

[skrble]

I already found the problem. It was simply a coincidence with other official Lenovo update: https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/ThinkPad-P ... -p/4188711

I apparently noticed it a bit later, so I thought it may be connected with this. My excuse! Thanks!

[cake]

Hi guys!

Need some help with getting this:

3) - order mod https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=553863861510 (200Yuan) (seller #2) + order somewhere 13.3 FHD lcd + order bezel https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=558961272865 (100Yuan)

to work on my X220.

Soldered the kit - and I'm not getting any backlight, even tho picture is present.
I'm not that good with diagnosing electrical problems - any hints about where to look?

Using LP133WF4 SPD1 display.

Do I have to flash BIOS to get it to work?

Thanks!

EDIT: just thought I'll mention, screen is obviously correctly recognized by Windows.

[RealBlackStuff]

Did you remove power and battery before you started?
Maybe you blew the backlight fuse!

[cake]

Did you remove power and battery before you started?
Maybe you blew the backlight fuse!

I did.
But anything is possible.
Any idea where's that?
Will that also kill backlight to the original display? That one works correctly if I connect it.
Edit: nevermind, now it doesn't anymore. Sigh. Well, at least now I know where to look. Thanks.

Using very similar fhd board: https://imgur.com/3jAKDaI
Have 2 capacitors on the right, however ( near 8 ), soldered only to the bottom one, getting ~12v there, when laptop is on.
Also, connector is different (only 20 pin).

[cake]

Welp, fuses F1, F2 and F6 all are intact (resistance is close to zero), yet I'm getting no backlight even with the original display now. Guess I blew something else while testing. FML.

[cake]

Already gotten me a spare X230 to play with, but I'm inclined to finish diagnosing the original one (or destroy it in the process, lol).
Anyway, FHD board is off the MB, I'm still not getting any backlight with the original screen.
Googled the schematics, found out that pins 1 & 2 in CN4 (original display connector) are protected by the fuse F1 and are labeled as "VBL20" - I presume backlight voltage supply. Well, I have 12 volts there with laptop turned on, which can mean, that this part of the circuit is fine, I guess.

Now, there's also "BACKLIGHT_ON" at pin4. I start to suspect, that this might be my actual issue right from the start? My motherboard also doesn't have R68 soldered in for some reason.

Would be cool if someone could steer me in a right direction.

[jussi]

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=556349574441
Is this a full kit or a service?

[la-luva]

Hi.
Have done this mod on a X220 i5.
This is the kit from Taobao.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/o56 ... i8ob2u.jpg

This is the result.
https://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/o5 ... pw4eew.jpg

http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/o56 ... itftoa.jpg


Everything worked on first time startup and seems stable, have installed a fresh Windows 10 on a new ssd hdd and done some hours with it.

I did not fit the mSATA board. Yet
Have not flashed the bios to "cut" the line to the original lcd.
Screen brightness can be adjusted with power button, 15 different settings.
LCD is 13.3" B133HAN04.6
How and where to solder i found solution to in pictures on internet.

It is not a perfect result, it is some signs of ghosting when complete black, but is not visible in normal use.
The pads I used behind lcd is to thick, but do not dare to take the bezel off again, because of very thight fit, and I am afraid to ruin the lcd if I try to take it off.

!!! QUESTION
There was a chip in the kit i bought, it is marked "X230 bios 2.73"
Does anybody know if this is a preprogrammed, whitelisted bios chip for this mod? (I presume it will not fit on the X220)

The mSATA board is just for an ekstra HDD right?

Does anybody have a step by step procedure on how to flash the bios or "embedded controller" and "cut" the line for the original LCD?
Have tried to read me up on this, but seems kind of complicated involving a raspberry pi.

Regards Lars

[boutch55555]

I have one of those with the bios but I didn't try it yet.

I don't know of a patch that works with the x220, only x230.

IIRC with the x220 you can use Lenovo's tools, the bios wasn't signed, no need for the pi ans clip. But you won't be able to patch it without the patch itself.